BILL NUMBER: SB 342	CHAPTERED  09/08/99

	CHAPTER   365
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 8, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 23, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   MAY 20, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 14, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator McPherson

                        FEBRUARY 9, 1999

   An act to amend Sections 3, 4, and 7 of Chapter 1080 of the
Statutes of 1998, relating to the Bipartisan Commission on the
Political Reform Act of 1974.

      e law without Governor's signature.  Filed with
Secretary of State September 8, 1999.)


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 342, McPherson.  Bipartisan Commission on the Political Reform
Act.
   The existing Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure,
prescribes various limitations and reporting requirements respecting,
among other things, political campaign contributions.  Existing law
provides for the Bipartisan Commission on the Political Reform Act of
1974 with a prescribed membership.  The commission is required to
investigate and assess the effect of the Political Reform Act of 1974
on core political speech protected by the First Amendment to the
United States Constitution, and on candidates for public office,
campaign committees, the voters, state and local officials, and
public employees, including the act's effect upon communications to
and from public officials.  The commission is required to review any
ballot measures affecting the Political Reform Act of 1974 and to
assess the impact of independent expenditure committees.  The
commission is required to report to the Legislature, by October 1,
1999, its findings and any recommendations to further the goals of
the act.  Commission members are entitled to receive $100 per diem
compensation for attendance at meetings.  These provisions relating
to the commission are repealed on January 1, 2000, unless extended by
statute.
   This bill would extend that repeal date to January 1, 2001, and
would extend the date on or before which the commission is required
to report its findings to the Legislature to June 30, 2000.
   Under existing law, no more than 3 members of the commission may
be attorneys at law who devote more than 10% of their professional
practice time to legislative, political campaign, or other
politically related activities.
   This bill would limit that restriction to members of the
commission who are appointed by elected officials.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 3 of Chapter 1080 of the Statutes of 1998 is
amended to read:
  Sec. 3.  (a) Current Members and employees of the Legislature and
registered lobbyists shall be ineligible for membership on the
commission.
   (b) No more than three members of the commission who are appointed
by elected officials may be attorneys at law who devote more than 10
percent of their professional practice time to legislative,
political campaign, or other politically related activities.
  SEC. 2.  Section 4 of Chapter 1080 of the Statutes of 1998 is
amended to read:
  Sec. 4.  The commission shall conduct its initial meeting as soon
as possible after January 1, 1999.  The commission shall investigate
and assess the effect of the Political Reform Act of 1974 on core
political speech protected by the First Amendment to the United
States Constitution, and on candidates for public office, campaign
committees, the voters, state and local officials, and public
employees, including the effect upon communications made or received
by elected and other public officials to and from members of the
public and lobbyists.  The commission shall review any ballot
measures affecting the Political Reform Act of 1974 and shall assess
the impact of independent expenditure committees.  The commission
shall report its findings to the Legislature, together with any
recommendations to further the goals of the act, on or before June
30, 2000.
  SEC. 3.  Section 7 of Chapter 1080 of the Statutes of 1998 is
amended to read:
  Sec. 7.  This act shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2001, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2001, deletes or extends
that date.
